SUMMER SCHOOL ZONE: Three playlist-worthy albums for summer

1

 “Kaytraminé”

 Aminé and Kaytranada

Debuting on May 19, “Kaytraminé” by Kaytranada and Amine served a lively and summer-like album that can quickly put you in the most up-beat mood, with just 11 tracks. Standout singles, “4EVA” and “Rebuke,” automatically set up the groovy feel with jumpy production and sparkling rap by Aminé. The joint collaboration also features appearances from rap star Snoop Dogg, Big Sean, legendary producer Pharrell Williams, Freddie Gibbs and Amaarae. Through their crisp vocals, hilarious verses and synth production backing up the tracks, the album feels like a hype colorful road trip to the beach. One of the jewels of the album is the track “K&A,” which has a hard-hitting beat and up-beat verses from Amine, where he raps about his fame and success as a rapper while others were putting him down. The track takes a 360 and switches beats with heavenly humming sung in the back to provide the final stretch as the final song of the album. For anyone needing to explore that perfect summer album, Kaytramine will leave you with a sweet surprise.

2

 “Let’s Start Here”

 Lil Yachty

To everybody’s surprise this year, rapper Lil Yachty released a psychedelic rock album, turning fans’ heads from every genre. On the album, Yachty uses synth-pop beats combined with auto-tune to evoke the emotion packed sounds all throughout the album. Emerging artists Foushee and Teezo Touchdown previously featured on Call Me if You Get Lost and Gemini Rights, can be heard buried into “pRETy” and “the ride-”. They provide beautiful backing vocals that drive a certain elegance and pop feel to the album. Through every track, it feels almost reminiscent of artists like Tame Impala and even ’70s icon Pink Floyd, which can be seen on “drive ME crazy!” The song features Diana Gordon’s harmony that soothes the track into an imagery of love and has the catchiest beat and writing that makes you want to say, “I lose it,” over and over again. Yachty expresses his creative freedom and his true self-expression through this album and deserves to stand with some of the top albums of the 21st century. For anyone wanting to experiment with rap and psychedelic rock, “Let’s Start Here” is the perfect listen. 

3

 “The Estate Sale”

 Tyler, The Creator

Well over a year after “CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST” was released, Tyler surprised the world with his seven-track deluxe album, “The Estate Sale.” In his typical fashion from the album, he flexes heavily about his wealth, cars, fancy watches and more of his life, while also making it personal this time around. This behavior can be seen on the track “Stuntman,” where he trades back-to-back verses with Vince Staples, and states how he has “different color chess pieces hangin’ from my necklace” — a clear nod to his bright gold chains he wears daily. Similarly, “Dogtooth” takes a similar approach as he talks about his “Kelly green wagon” and his developing love life. The track debuted at the top of the charts and served as the lead single, proving just how good Tyler can produce tracks and write catchy bars. To dive deeper into his life, the second single, “Sorry not Sorry,” provided his insight of his regrets from the past, his apologies to people he is close to and his music career. His highlights for the album are by far the melodic and mellow production that Tyler has always delivered sonically and continued to provide one of the best albums for those special vacation days.